A New Music Venue Comes To Life

Ventura, CA is well known for it's surf community, sub-urban feel, and general friendliness, but that's now being evolved as it also is becoming a music mecca. With the Majestic Theater, Zoey's, Bombay's and several other downtown locations serving up great live music, there yet comes another to the scene.

A few months ago, Karma closed due to it's violent clientele and rambunctious nature only to be re-invented by a visionary who dreams of giving musicians a real concert venue to rival that of the Theater but on a smaller, more intimate scale.

The Crave has now been open for a few months with a variety of music and events. Their Saturdays are legitimate concerts with some of Ventura Counties top bands. Friday nights are for the dance crowd featuring hip hop and trance music and Thursday's are their Crave Artist Showcase which is covered by Buzz Radio with live concert broadcast.

The venue can hold upwards of 750 people, have an outdoor and indoor stage, and is the only licensed night club in Ventura county. As the new owner, Sheldon, has transformed the venue from a violent house of horror into a friendly and warm environment for the real music lover, they have seen great success with their events.

One upcoming event that the community should take note of is the "Sweet Relief Benefit" (Oct 15th) that raises money to help elderly musicians who cannot afford health insurance. It's Sheldon's belief that success is when you can give back into the community and use what you have to give others opportunities they wouldn't normally have.

The bands just keep coming, the music keeps pumping, and the popularity of this once gone south venue make a dramatic comeback into a community that is working towards becoming the next music mecca.

Emerging artists who have struggled to find a great venue to play in Ventura are finding a home at the Crave while other venues turn them away. From folk to heavy metal, you can hear that underground music that will turn heads, get you fired up and brighten your day. So next Thursday, when you get off work and you've had a rough day, go to the Crave and have a drink, listen to these amazing musicians, and get your release.

The Crave is located at 281 W. Main St. as you head towards Santa Barbara, on the right side of the street, just before the 33 overpass. Come for the dancing on Friday or the cool music from bands like "The Ska Daddyz" on Saturday night. Crave is the place to be for great local music.